Tim Ho Wan East Village

Hidden Manhattan Eats: Tim Ho Wan 85 4th Ave NY Tried out Tim Ho Wan the famous dim sum spot known as one of the most affordable Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. I went in ready for a dim sum feast and ordered their signature baked BBQ pork buns and some deep fried dumplings. The pork buns? Soft, pillowy, with this sweet crackly crust on top that threw me off at first… but the savory caramelized pork filling balanced it out. Not bad, kinda grew on me. But the fried dumplings… y’all. They were sweet inside. I wasn’t ready for that at all, and honestly it ruined the vibe for me . Like, are sweet dumplings a traditional thing? Or did I just order wrong? If you’ve been to Tim Ho Wan, drop your recs — what’s good here, what should I try next time? Because I’m still curious, but that dumpling situation… nah.

Overall: A huge disappointment Ambience: outdated decor, but very good for solo lunch, quite a few tables are solo diners Service: not the waiter’s fault but the cheap plastic green chopsticks are a mode killer… Food: Huge disappointment: everything screamed previously frozen. The classic chicken feet is barely cooked (the traditional dim sum chicken feet should be so soft they melts in your mouth). The coffee and milk tea is very mediocre as well. The only redeeming dish is BBQ pork bun. Honestly don’t know how this shop can make it so far in the competitive food scene of New York City. Will never come back for sure.

Solid dim sum place if you cannot make it to Chinatown. Some of their bites needed a little bit of seasoning but nothing that their chili oil and sauces couldn’t fix. I generally liked it and I’d go back. Their lychee hot tea was awesome. They were also pretty quick to serve up the dim sum.

Midday on a weekend, I was able to get in. No line or wait. It was an impulse. The service was quick, friendly and when you asked the staff what item you were receiving, they kindly explained the dish. Certain dishes were exceptional. Bao buns wow. There were items I did not enjoy but I cannot rate low due to a limited dataset associated with similar items. Recommend for sure. Try as many things as you can.

I can see why this dim sum spot is so popular. The food is incredibly flavorful, with a great variety of dishes that truly stand out. The quality is definitely noticeable, and you can taste the care and attention to detail in every bite. That said, the price is definitely on the higher side compared to other dim sum places in the city. But, given that it has a Michelin star, I guess you’re paying for that elevated experience. Still, it’s worth trying if you’re in the mood for something special! Just be prepared to pay a bit more.

Tim Ho Wan is my all-time favorite dim sum spot! Whenever I crave dim sum, this is always my first choice. The prices are super affordable, and the variety lets you try a little bit of everything. Portions are just right for sharing or sampling multiple dishes, and everything comes out fresh and flavorful. It’s casual, quick, and consistently satisfying — perfect for a dim sum fix without breaking the bank.

Not to be dramatic, but these were the best dumplings I have ever eaten. The pan-fried noodles were also delicious. Service was good and friendly. Food came out quick.